Reading at Sandhurst School: A Guide for Parents

At Sandhurst School, we believe that every student has the right to become a confident, fluent reader. Our reading strategy is a research-driven best practice model based on the EEF Guidance for Literacy in Secondary Schools, ensuring that our approach is evidence-informed and systematic.

Our Intent: Every Student a Reader

Our goal is to implement a model that ensures no pupil is overlooked. We prioritise both the technical proficiency of word reading and the depth of language comprehension. We recognise that reading needs change over time; some students arrive with early reading needs (such as phonics gaps), while others may have late-emerging needs that only surface as the curriculum becomes more complex and requires greater independence.

How We Understand Your Child’s Reading

We do not just look at "reading" as one single skill. Following the Science of Reading, we assess three core components to understand a student’s specific profile:

1. Word Reading: The ability to accurately decode words.
2. Fluency: The "bridge" between decoding and comprehension, measuring speed and expression.
3. Reading Comprehension: The ability to gain deep meaning from a text.

Understanding the Scores

We use a variety of high-quality assessments to track progress:

• Key Stage 2 Scaled Scores: Reported between 80 and 120, where 100 is the expected national standard. Scores between 80–94 are considered low, and 95–99 show a student is working towards the standard.
• Standardised Age Scores (SAS): Where the average score is always 100, and the average range is 85–115. A score below 85 often triggers further investigation.

To ensure this data makes a difference in the classroom, reading ability is visible on all seating plans so every teacher knows how to support your child.

Our Universal Offer: What Every Student Receives

All students at Sandhurst School benefit from a robust literacy environment:

• Tutor-Led Reading: Twice weekly, students read challenging, age-appropriate books with their tutors.
• SPARX Reader: Weekly homework that encourages routine practice and reading for pleasure.
• Library & English Lessons: All KS3 students have dedicated library sessions and begin every English lesson with five minutes of private reading.
• Disciplinary Literacy: Teachers in every subject (e.g., Science, History) explicitly teach the specialised vocabulary and language of their discipline.

Targeted Support: Tier 2 Interventions

If our screening identifies that a student is struggling, we provide targeted, systematic support:

• Reading Mentors: Younger students meet weekly with a mentor in the library for fluency support.
• Fresh Start Phonics: A dedicated program for students who need help mastering the mechanics of decoding.
• Literacy Needs Register: All support is tracked on a central register. Parents are always informed if their child is placed on a support pathway, and progress is reviewed three times a year.

Our 7-Step Research-Driven Model

Our entire school strategy is built on the following evidence-based pillars:

1. Prioritising Academic Vocabulary: Explicitly teaching the "big words" in every subject.
2. A Balanced Approach: Focusing on both the ability to read and the motivation to read.
3. Systematic Phonics: Providing high-quality support for decoding gaps.
4. Developing Fluency: Helping students read with automaticity.
5. Comprehension Strategies: Teaching students how to monitor their own understanding.
6. High-Quality Assessment: Using data to adapt teaching to student needs.
7. Targeted Interventions: Proactively planning support for our weakest readers.

By working together, we ensure that your child leaves Sandhurst School with the literacy skills necessary for a successful and fulfilling life.